Luminescence
- March 30, 2018
- Genetic Studio
Luminescence is a single-player visual novel racing game where players uncover the truth behind an urban legend. High school student Ady is constantly bothered by Rena, but after making a deal to disprove the legend, they embark on a thrilling journey. In this short but engaging game, players will explore a good plot while trying to outrun the urban legend and shake off Rena's persistent presence.
Reviews
- The artwork is visually appealing and well-designed, with cute character designs and nice CGs.
- The game offers a unique and interesting premise, with a romantic and dramatic story that has potential for expansion.
- It's a low-cost visual novel that provides easy achievements, making it accessible for players looking for a quick experience.
- The game is extremely short, taking only about 10-15 minutes to complete, which many players feel is not worth the price.
- The story lacks depth and character development, leaving players feeling unsatisfied and confused about the plot.
- The English translation is poor, with numerous grammatical errors that detract from the overall experience.
- story42 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the visual novel has received mixed reviews, with many users noting its intriguing premise centered around an urban legend but criticizing its execution as underdeveloped and overly brief. While some appreciate the romantic and dramatic elements, they feel the narrative lacks depth and context, leaving them wanting more substantial content. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the visual and thematic elements are commendable, the story itself requires significant expansion and refinement to meet players' expectations.
“Luminescence is a very good visual novel game with a beautiful story.”
“The story and plot is written as a drama with supernatural references.”
“Great game, deep story, and nice visual art!”
“The story is an insult to the reader, considering that this visual novel is not free.”
“But as a visual novel, story would be a very important aspect, and this VN has a pretty seriously under-developed storyline, if it can be called story development at all.”
“It's actually quite a shame because if there had just been more story I feel like this game could've been something resembling halfway decent.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the unique and nice art style, although some find it not up to par with typical visual novels. While the artwork is praised, there are mixed feelings about its overall quality, with some players expressing disappointment in the game's brevity and other aspects. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the gaming experience, with a chill soundtrack complementing the graphics.
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing... I recommend it.”
“The game has nice artwork in the game cover and CGs; hope there will be additional episodes for this game and that it will also qualify for Steam trading cards in the future.”
“I really like the art style; it's different and unique.”
“The art style is acceptable and not the standard that you can see in other visual novels, but it doesn’t make it good.”
“The art style is fine and the story could be too, but I'm picky enough about grammar to stop before getting far, get a refund, and move on to another story.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as simple and repetitive, with some users finding it irritating, while others appreciate its chill and relaxing qualities. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the soundtrack alongside the game's graphics.
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing... I recommend it.”
“The art and music are nice though!”
“The music is simple, looping, and irritating.”
“The music gets really repetitive.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is minimal, with only a hint of romantic feelings between Ady and Rena, while other characters remain largely underdeveloped due to the game's short length. Despite this, the character design received some praise, indicating a visual appeal even if the narrative depth is lacking.
“It's blatantly hinted that Ady is in love with Rena, but outside of that, no one gets any character development at all. This isn't surprising considering how short the game is.”
“Well, I do think the character design isn't too bad; there are at least some okay CGs, and the price tag is pretty low.”
“I really like the character design.”
“It's blatantly hinted that Ady is in love with Rena, but outside of that, no one gets any character development at all. This isn't surprising in the least considering how short the game is.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users note that the gameplay is relatively short, with some experiences lasting around half an hour, which may feel rushed for players seeking a more extended engagement.
“The gameplay feels incredibly rushed, with only half an hour of content.”
“I found the mechanics to be clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to play.”
“The level design is repetitive, leading to a monotonous gameplay experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its flawless art and well-matched background music that enhance a touching story; however, many users feel that the experience is diminished by its brevity.
“The art is flawless, the background music perfectly matches the story, and the narrative is incredibly touching, though I wish it were longer.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“I was moved to tears by the storyline; it beautifully captures the complexities of love and loss.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is brief but impactful, delivering a quick burst of laughter in just 15 minutes.
“It was over very quickly, but it was quite the funny 15 minutes.”